A RECORD high number of works, 427, were submitted for consideration at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards this year. The film festival, Asia’s equivalent to the Oscars, will be held Saturday in Taipei.

    Cannes-winning director Hou Hsiao-hsien’s film “The Assassin” is leading the race for most nominations, scoring nods in 11 categories. The film was nominated for best screenplay, best director and best actress for lead actress Hsu Chi.

    Director Chang Tso-chi’s film “Thanatos, Drunk,” a story about two brothers who struggle with a heavy burden from their overbearing mother, was nominated for 10 awards. Director Jia Zhangke’s “Mountains May Depart” was nominated for best screenplay. Jia was awarded a Carrosse d’Or award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in May.

    The biggest surprise was that director Feng Xiaogang, the director of “1942” and “If You Are the One,” was nominated for a best actor award for his performance in Guan Hu’s “Mr. Six.” When the film was shown in Venice, Feng’s performance was a pleasant surprise to viewers from home and abroad. Other nominees include Deng Chao for his performance in “The Dead End” and newcomer Dong Zijian for “Delan.”

    Actresses Karena Lam from “Zinnia Flower,” Sylvia Chang from “Office,” Zhao Tao from “Mountains May Depart,” and Vivian Sung from “My Girlhood” were nominated for best actress alongside Hsu. Domestic animation “Monkey King: Hero Is Back” and Hong Kong production “McDull: Me & My Mum” are up for best animated feature.

    Hou will be awarded the outstanding film worker in Taiwan award at the ceremony for his contributions to the art of filmmaking over the years. With works like “The Assassin,” he has brought the films of Taiwan onto the international stage and set a new benchmark for creativity. The award committee views awarding him not as adding another laurel to his already long list of achievements but as a way of paying respect to all he has done.

    According to the awards committee, singers Eason Chan and Rainie Yang have been invited to perform at the award ceremony.

    (SD-Agencies)